An extraordinary showcase of grit and excellence will occur when top para-athletes including Paralympic and world champions gather in Dubai during the 16th Fazza Para Athletics Grand Prix – Dubai 2025 running from 10-13 February.
The season opening event for the 2025 Fazza International Championships for People of Determination will feature athletes from 52 nations totaling approximately 400 para-athletes according to Tuesday’s announcement at the grand launch press conference.
The World Para Athletics Grand Prix calendar begins with the season’s first championship event.
Among the leading international competitors are Switzerland’s wheelchair racing icon Marcel Hug as well as Belgium’s Paris 2024 gold medalist Maxime Carabin along with China’s nine-time Paralympic winner Wen Xiaoyan who secured four gold medals in Paris 2024 together with Wu Qing who is a multiple-time gold medallist from China.
The hosting nation UAE will send a team of 60 para-athletes composed of Paralympic stars and several new contestants who aim to obtain their international classification during the four-day competition.
Majid Al-Usaimi who directs the Organising Committee of the Fazza International Championships for People of Determination expressed gratitude to Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his exceptional interest and backing of People of Determination. He gave credit to the Dubai Sports Council together with 25 partners and sponsors for their ongoing support to reach the club’s targeted objectives.
Al-Usaimi explained that leadership must combine a strategic vision to fulfill national goals and sustainable trends that enable champions to represent the country internationally in order to secure the top position.
The Fazza Championships have served as a focal point for Para sports growth at every level while helping Dubai to extend its successful track record of hosting international championships.
The Director of Championships announced that the event organisers have finished their preparations and they believe they will deliver an outstanding championship.
The Dubai Sports Council Secretary General Saeed Hareb attended alongside Emirati para-athlete Rawda Abdullah who is preparing for her second Fazza Para Athletics Grand Prix competition scheduled to take place in two weeks.